Ironing machine cabinet



Dec. 20, 193s. A, H ERHRDT 2,140,836

IRONING MACHINE CABINET Filed Aug. l5, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l Eig I -7INVENTOR. /ndrezd Gerhardt BY ATTORNEY.

Dec. 2o, 1938. A. H. GERHARDT 2,140,836

IRONING MACHINE CABINET I E 37 v INVENTOR.

/zz drew erjz ara/ ATTORNEY.

Dec. 20, 1938. A. Hl GERHARDT 2,140,836

IRONING MACHINE CABINET Filed Aug: 13, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ll l."532;@ I 609 57 JLl.

INVENTOR,

/712 drew/ Gerharda ATTORNEY.

Patented Dea zo, 193s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE: l`

A 2,140,836 l IRONING MACHINE CABINET Andrew II. Gerhardt, Chicago,Ill., assignor to Electric Household Utilities Corporation, Chicago,Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application August 13, 1931, Serial`No.158,884

3 Claims. (Cl. S12-190) ciated with the support for enclosing the in-`strument or unit.

Heretofore, covers or closure means for cabinets of the generalcharacter indicated have generally been formed as inverted box-likestructures, preferably including a substantially at top adapted to serveas an auxiliary supporting surface. Such closures or covers usually havebeen formed as a unitary element, and frequently the dimensions thereofare such as to render handling thereof rather awkward and difcult,particularly when the closures or covers `are of the type that areadapted for bodily removal from the table-like support. In somecommercial forms of apparatus of this general class, the

cover or closure means is associated with the` table-like support in amanner for permitting pivotal movement thereof to and from Yoperativeposition. In some of such constructions, the cover or closure means,when removed to expose the instrument or like unit, is compelled tooccupy a space immediately rearwardly of the table-like support, or atone end thereof. Mani' festly, when apparatus, having such types ofclosures, are positioned in close proximity to a wall or other objects,it is first necessary to move them a sufficient distance to provideadequate clearance for accommodating the cover or closure means, whensame is moved to expose the l instrument or unit.

One of the primary objects of the present invention resides in theprovision of a novel and improved form of closure means of the characterindicated, which is constructed and ari ranged to obviate the foregoingobjections, and which may be quickly and conveniently manipulated forexposing or` enclosing an instrument or like unit on a table-likesupport. l

Another object of this' invention is to provide i an improved closuremeans of the character indicated wherein said closure means is composedlof a pair of end panels associated with a pair of opposed ends of thetable-like support, to-

gether with a iiexible cover element adapted to D be moved into and outof cooperation with said end panels for enclosing the instrument orexposingsame for use.

A further object is to provide an improved closure means for apparatusof the character inli dicated'comprising a exible cover element adaptforthe top of the said table suIJpOrt.

Other objects and advantages of this inven- 10 ed for cooperation with apair of end panel elements, hingedly 'associated with the ends of the'table-like support, and adapted to normally extend in upright position,to constitute a portion of the closure means; but which are alsoadapted, VIii when the flexible cover is withdrawn,- to be Iswungoutwardly and downwardly substantially in horil Zonta] position, toconstitute a shelf or extension tion will be apparent from the followingdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings-inwhich:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a table-like support and closure meansconstituting the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the table-like sumiort-` y with the closuremeans in inoperative position, exposing the instrument or like unit.y

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the table-like support 20 and closure means.

Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged transverse sections, taken as indicated atline 4-4 and line 5--5 respectively on Fig. 1.

' Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional View through 25 the flexible cover,taken at line 6-6 on Fig. 1

Fig. '7 is a section through the flexible cover taken as indicated atline 1--1 on Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a staggered horizontal section through the table-like support.and closure, taken as in- 30 dicated at line 8-8 on Fig. 1, showinglatching means for releasably securing one of the end panels of theclosure means in upright position.

Fig. 91s la vertical sectional view, taken as indicated at line 9-9 onFig. 8. I 35 Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing a modifiedform of latching means. 'j

Fig. 11 is a section through themodified form of latching means, takenas indicated at line II-H on Fig. l0. Y v

Referring now in detail to the drawings, I have herein illustrated thepresent invention in connection with a table-like structure on which ismounted a conventional ironing machine of the character usually employedin the home. It will 45 beV manifest, however, that the presentinvention is readily adaptable to various other types of cabinetconstructions for enclosing a wide variety of instruments or'like units,when mounted on a table-like support. .5o The construction hereinillustrated includes a table-like support of generally rectangular formpreferably fabricated of sheet metal and comprising a top Il),` and endsupports herein shown ".formed aspanels Il, the vertical edges of which65 are bent angularly for purposes of reinforcement, and also to servethe function of leg members. The marginal edge of said top is formedwith a depending reinforcing flange or skirt .10?, which is adapted toover-lie said end panels, and rigidly secured thereto in any convenientmanner, such as by welding. Secured to the lower The means for enclosingthe ironer unit, and' constituting the presentinvention, is preferablyconstructed and formed so that in closed position it presents asubstantial flattop area, which may.

be used as an auxiliary supporting surface. Said closure means include apair of swingable endpanel members 20, which are normally disposed inupright position at the ends of the table top l0, and are connected tosaid table-like support in a-manner to permit disposition of said panelsin a substantially horizontal plane, Withthe upper surfacethereofapproximately flush with the table top I0, as seen in the drawings, andthereby constitute auxiliary shelves or extensions for said table top.Such shelves or extensions, in connection with various types ofinstruments or units, and particularly with ironing machines, are ofconsiderable importance, in that they provide adequate auxiliarysupporting surfaces for fabrics to be ironed, or fabrics that have beenironed, or for supporting various apparatus used in connection with theironing operation, such as a panofwater, sponge, or spraying device. Forpurposes of appearance and economy in manufacture, said end panels 20are of similar' construction, and are formed of sheet metal, fabricatedin a manner to produce a substantially closed hollow body providing twospaced apart substantially parallel panel surfaces. As will hereinafterappear, said panels are so connected to the table-like support, that in'upright closing position, the one main surface thereof is substantiallyush with the end panels Il of the tablelike support, and in 'operatingposition, that is,

when disposed in horizontal position, as a shelf,

the opposite surface of the endpanels 20 are posi? tioned substantiallytable-like structure.

The outer marginal edges of eachof the end panels 20 are formed' in amanner to provide a continuous track or guideway 2|, around the freemarginal edge thereof. The tracks are each composed of two straightvertical portions, and-a straight horizontal portion at the upper edge,the latter being joined to the former by arcuate vportions. A flexiblecover-element 23 has its opposite marginal edges terminating in a planefor ush with the top Il 0f the movement into the tracks 2l, of the -endpanels 20, when said panels are in upright position, to

complete the closure for enclosing the ironer unit or other instrumentsr units.

For convenience invmoving the flexible cover to and from cooperativerelation withrsaid end panels 29:, I providea pair of spaced aparthandlesr, adjacent the-foremost edge of said cover element. If desired,the flexible cover may be formed of a single sheet of flexible material,preferably metal, or Ias herein shown, it may be composed of amultiplicity of parallel metal slatlike members 25, ilexiblyconnectedtogether in any suitable manner, to form' a unitary body. In order toutilize relatively light weight sheet metal for fabricating these slats,for purposes of economy and lightness in weight to render the moving ofthe cover to and from operative position as convenient and as practicalas possible, said slat elements are connected by a vplurality oftransversely spaced apart reinforcing members 28. For this purpose, theslat elements 25 each have their marginal longitudinal edges down turnedto formflanges 2l, and formed in said flanges are aligned series-ofapertures 30, for receiving said members 28, which serve to connectandreinforce said slat elements. The flanges 29 at the ends of the slatsare preferably cut away to fit conveniently in the guideways. It will beapparent,-

however, that if desired these slat like members 25 may be directlyinterconnected in a manner to provide adequate flexibility.

Secured to the angularly bent portions of the rear side of end panels Ilof the table-like structure, are a pair of upright guides 26, eachhaving its marginal outer edge folded-back upon itself in 'spaced-apartrelation to form a g'uideway 26, with which may be aligned the guideways2| of the panels 20, for receiving and guiding the marginal verticaledges of cover 23 in its movement to and from closing position. As maybe seen in Fig. 5, the rear portion of guideways 2|'of panels 20, areformed of sufilcient width to accommodate said folded marginal portionsof the guides 26. Secured by bolts 21EL to the inside surface of saidguides 2B is a transversely extending panel 21, preferably of sheetmetal, which serves to reinforce the structure and also conceal theunderside of the cover element when it is disposed in open position, asmay be seen in Figs. 2 and 3.

By virtue of .this construction the flexible cover depending leg portionprojecting downwardly from said panels through apertures |01', formed inthe top and skirt portion In* ofthe table top I0, and are provided withtransversely extending pins 35, immediately below said slots,to'preclude withdrawal of the depending leg portions of the members 32from the table-like structure. These pins 3l are so located as to enablethe bottom edge'of the end panels 2l to normally rest upon the top ofthe table l0, while also permitting said edge to ride around the'roundedmarginal edge of the top il, for Adislvosition flatly against the skirtportion I II ofthe table top, as indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 9and 11. Desirably, the depending portions of the legs 32 `are formedwith ing to abut against inner surface of upper portion of the endpanels H lof the table-like support, to serve as stops for-arresting thepanelsv 20 in vertical or upright position, as seen -in Fig. 9. Theoifset portions 32h are adapted, when the end panels "are disposed inhorizontal position, to 74 free access to said onset portions 32* and32h, the vportions 32l servlatching means for each of the end panels,al- `though it will be apparent that a single operating Y mechanism maybe :arranged for controlling the latches simultaneously. Rigidly securedby screws 38 inthe inturned angularly bent portions of each of the endpanels Il are a pair of aligned bearings 39, providing journaled supportfor transversely disposed rock shafts 40. Rigidly attached to eachshaft, by means of pins 4| are a pair of horizontally extending latchbars 42, the outer ends of which are notched as indicated at 43, toprovide seats for receiving the lower ends of the respective legs 32,which constitute the hinge connection for the end panels, as seen inFig. 9. Each rock shaft 40 is normally urged in a direction for raisingthe latch bars 42 by means of a coil spring 44 surrounding the shaftintermediate one of the bearings 39, and the adjacent latch bar 42, withone end of theV spring disposed beneath said latch bar and its oppositeend engaged in the bearing 39. Each shaft 40 is adapted to be separatelyrocked to depress the latch bars 42 and thereby release thecorresponding leg portions 32 to permit disposing the respective endpanels 2li in horizontal'position. This may be accomplished by means ofa depressible plunger 45, which extends upwardly through the table topl0, having its upper end provided with a convenient hand knob 46. Eachof said plungers is journaled in a bushing 4l, secured in the table topIll and is dimensioned so that its lower end normally rests upon atransversely extending pin 49, extending laterally from the adjacentlatch bar 42. It will now be apparent that when the plunger is depressedto the dotted position indicated in Fig. 9, the corresponding latch bars'42 will be rocked to the dotted position, as seen in Fig. 9, removingthe seats 43 from engagement with said leg members, 32, at which timesaid leg members are released to permit the corresponding end panel 20to be moved outwardly and downwardly to horizontal position. Due to theparticular construc-Q tion herein illustrated, it will be apparent thatas the end-.panel 20 is again swung upwardly to operative position, thelower end of the leg members 32 wipe over latch bars 42, andautomatically become latched by said latch bars 42, which are normallyurged in an upwardly direction by the coil springs 44.

Figs. 10 and 1l represent a modified form of releasable latchingmechanism. In this construction the end panels 20 are hingedly attachedto the table top Ill in a manner similar to that above described, andfor convenience the latch mechanism at one end only will be described.The hinge connection to the end panel 20 includes a pair of transverselyspaced apart leg members 50 secured by screws 5l, interiorly of the endpanel; the portion of .the leg projecting downwardly from theend panel20 includes oilset portions, .50, 50", and 50c, the portions 5Ila and50b serving respectively as stops in the same manner as the portions 32and 32D in the construction disclosed in Figs. 8 and 9, while the lowerend portion 59 is adapted to be engaged by a modied form of latchingdevice.

Mounted on theinner surface of theend wallV of the end panel Il of thetable-like support, by `means of screws 52, are a pair of transverselysspaced apart brackets 53, in which is slldably mounted a horizontallyextending operating bar 54, to which' is rigidly attached a. pair oflatching members' 55, formed with angula'rly bent hook porti'ons toembrace the lower portions 50 of the legs 50, for'securing the end panel20 in upright position. Said sliding bar 54 is normally urged in adirection to cause the latches 55 to engage said lower portions 50c ofthe hinged legs, by means of a coil spring 56, which is connected bymeans of a bolt directly to the end'panel l I at one end, and

at its opposite end toan operating handle 51, which is rigidly attached,as by welding, to the slide bar 54. When the slide bar 54 is shifted by.means of the handle 5T to the dotted position, in-

d'cated in Fig. l0, the bar 54 is movedto cause latches 55 to releasethe lower portions 5ll c of the hinge legs so that the end panel may beswung downwardly to horizontal position, as indicated in dotted lines inFig. 1 1. The latching members 55 are each formed with a bevelled endportion 55a so that when the end panel isV swung upwardly l to operatingposition, the portions 5i!c at the lower ends of the leg members 50 arecaused to engage the latch portions 55a in a cam-wise manner, for movingthe latches, together'with the bar 54 to a position at which the latches55 may effectively embrace the lower portions of the hinge legs 50, andthereby lock the end panel 20 in upright position.

Although I have herein shown and described a" preferred embodiment of myinvention, manifestly it is capable of modification and rearrangement ofparts without departing from the spirit and scopethereof. I do not,therefore, wish to be un.- derstood as limiting this invention to theprecise embodiment herein disclosed, except as it may be so limited bythe appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a table-like support including a. top formed ofsheet metal and having down-turned marginal flanges at opposite ends,and an instrument or like unit mounted on said top; of means carried onthe support for enclosing said instrument or unit, said means comprisinga pair of normally upwardly extending panels on the opposite ends ofsaid support, a bodily movable iiexible cover element, and means on theback of thetable-like support for guiding and supporting the flexiblecover element, said cover element and end panels being constructed forcooperative engagement for completing the closure, said end panelshaving their lower ends provided with a floating hinge connectiondisposed inside of the support, and adapted, when the cover element ismoved to inoperative position, to be `swung outwardly and downwardly tosubstantially horizontal position, in substantially iiush relation withand constituting extensions of the table top, said hinge connections foreach end panel including a pair of spaced apart bars projectingdownwardly from the panel, through apering panels on the opposite endsof said support, a bodily movable flexible cover element, and means onthe back of the table-like support for guiding and supporting theflexible cover element, said cover element and end panels beingconstructed for cooperative engagement for completing the closure,. saidend panels having their lower ends provided .with a floating hingeconnection disposed inside of the support, and adapted, when the coverelement is moved to inoperative position, to be swung outwardly anddownwardly to substantially horizontal position, in substantially flushrelation with and constituting extensions of the table top, said hingeconnections for each end panel including a pair of spaced apart barsprojecting downwardly from the panel, through apertures in thetable-like support, and adapted in one position to engage an abutmentsurface of the support to arrest the end panelin upright position, andadapted to engage another abutment surface of the support to arrest anddispose the end panel in substantially horizontal position,substantially flush with the top.

3. The combination with a table-like support including a top formed ofsheet metal and having down-turned marginal flanges at opposite ends,and an instrument or like unit mounted on'said top; of means carried onthe supportfor enclosing said instrument or unit, said means comprisinga pair of normally upwardly extending panelsinside of the support, andadapted, when the c over element is moved to inoperative position, to beswung outwardly and downwardly to substantially horizontal position, insubstantially ush relation with and constituting extensionsof the tabletop, said hinge connections for each end panel includin'g a pair ofspaced apart bars projecting downwardly from the panel, throughaperturesin the table-like support, and adapted in one position toengage an abutment surface 20 of the supportto arrest the end panel inupright position, and adapted toengage .another abutment surface of thesupport to arrest and dispose the end panel in substantially horizontalposition, and means below the top forreleasably latching said bars forsupporting the end panels in upright position.

\ ANDREW H. GERHARDT.

